Pet Owners Urged to Discard Recalled Pet Food Due to Risk of Salmonella Poisoning

[Howard Hartman]

Pet Owners Urged to Discard Recalled Pet
Food Due to Risk of Salmonella Poisoning

ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 10, 2012) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) urges pet owners to discard packages of pet food voluntarily recalled by Diamond Pet Foods due to potential Salmonella contamination to pets and people. The company and several others with products manufactured at the Gaston, S.C. facility are recalling certain products in cooperation with federal food safety and health agencies. MDA is supporting the recall by informing retailers that carry the pet food to remove the affected products from sale and to return them to the manufacturer.

Consumers who have any of these products should discard them immediately. When disposing of unopened containers of the recalled product do not open the container. Place it in a sealable bag, wrap two plastic bags around it and tape it tightly. Dispose in household trash out of reach of humans and pets. To dispose of an open container wear gloves and face/mouth/eye protection and proceed with directions as for an unopened container. After disposing of the product, slowly remove gloves and face protector and dispose of in a manner that puts the gloves out of reach of humans and pets. Remember to wash hands with soap and running water for at least two minutes after handling pet food. Keep crawling children away from pet food bowls on the floor.

The products listed below are those recalled. Retailers that have any of these products are asked to assure that they are removed from use and do not accidentally get reintroduced for sale, service or donation.

• Apex: Chicken and Rice Dog (dry), 40 and 20 pound bags, UPC Code: ACD0101B32. Best by date - 24-Jan-2013
  
  
• Wellpet: Wellness Complete Health, Super5Mix Large Breed Puppy, 15 and 30 pound bags and 5 ounce bags. Best by Jan 9, 2013 through Jan 11, 2013.
  
  
• Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance: Sweet Potato &Venison, Lamb Meal & Brown Rice, Sweet Potato & Bison – 5, 15 and 28 pound bags; Vegetarian, 5 pound bags; Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Large Breed Bites, 28 pound bags; Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Small Breed Bites, 5 and 12.5 pound
  bags.
  
  
• Canidae: All Life Stages (dry), Chicken Meal & Rice (dry), Lamb Meal & Rice (dry), Platinum (dry). UPC Codes affected have a "3" in the 9th position AND an "X" in the 10th or 11th position. Best by date: December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.
  
  
• Kirkland (Kirkland Signature): Super Premium Adult; Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula; Super Premium Adult; Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula; Super Premium Mature Dog; Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula; Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables; Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula; Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula; Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula; Nature's Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs. UPC Codes affected have a "3" in the 9th position AND an "X" in the 11th position. Best By Date: December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013.
  
  
• Diamond: Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul (canned liquid), Country Value (dry), Diamond (dry), Diamond Naturals (dry), Premium Edge (dry), Professional (dry), 4Health (dry), Taste Of The Wild (dry). Production Codes affected have a "2" or a "3" in the 9th position and an "X" in the 10th or 11th position. Best by Date: Dec. 9, 2012 to April 7, 2013.

If a pet has eaten any of the recalled food in the past two weeks, it should be observed for signs of illness for 10 days after eating the product. If the pet develops signs of illness, seek private veterinary attention immediately. If the veterinarian indicates the illness is a result of consuming the product(s) indicated, the pet owner should report the incident to the FDA-Baltimore District at 410-779-5455.

People who think they might have become ill after contact with dry pet food or with an animal that has eaten recalled dry pet food should consult their health care provider. Infants, older adults and those with impaired immune systems are more likely than others to develop severe illness.

Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Baltimore District at 410-779-5455.

Additional information about the recall can be found at http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/C.../ucm302904.htm or www.diamondpetfoodrecall.com. Consumers with questions about the recall should call the company at 800-442-0402.